Elbow Dislocation
Overview
SymptomsandDiagnosis
Treatments
Treatment
It may take up to 6 weeks to recover. The goals of treatment are to put the bones of the elbow back into place and to promote healing.
The bones may be put back in place:
- Without surgery—anesthesia will be used to decrease pain while the doctor puts the bones back into place
- With surgery—an incision will be made to put the bones back into place and to repair any damaged ligaments. An external hinge may be used to support the bones while they heal.
Other treatment may include:
- Medicines to ease pain and swelling
- Supportive care, such as resting the area and using cold or warm compresses
- A splint or sling to keep the elbow in place as it heals
- Physical therapy to help with strength, flexibility, and range of motion
This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.
Edits to original content made by Denver Health.
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RESOURCES
Family Doctor—American Academy of Family Physicians http://familydoctor.org
Ortho Info— American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons http://orthoinfo.org
CANADIAN RESOURCES
Canadian Association of General Surgeons http://www.cags-accg.ca
Canadian Orthopaedic Foundation http://www.canorth.org
References
American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (ACOEM). Elbow disorders. J Occup Environ Med. 2013 Nov;55(11):1365-1374.
Elbow dislocation. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/condition/elbow-dislocation. Accessed February 18, 2021.
Elbow dislocation. Ortho Info—American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons website. Available at: https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases--conditions/elbow-dislocation. Accessed February 18, 2021.
Rezaie N, Gupta S, Service BC, Osbahr DC. Elbow dislocation. Clin Sports Med. 2020;39(3):637-655.